Chapter Development Academic Freedom Is Not Free American Association of University Professors

Requirements for Forming a Campus Chapter Seven active members can call an organizational meeting. Elect Officers – President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer Inform the AAUP National office – Inform the administration. Appoint a committee to draft by-laws. Sample by-laws can be found on the AAUP webpage: Seek recognition as a campus organization. Academic Freedom Is Not Free The AAUP webpage outlines the steps to form a chapter.

The Chapter Is the Face of the AAUP on Campus The Chapter should be professional in its dealing with the administration, campus and larger community. The Chapter should represent the official Redbook policies and positions of the AAUP and not the individual positions of the leadership or members. The Chapter should be responsive to major issues as they develop on campus. Academic Freedom Is Not Free The Chapter Should Present a Strong and Positive Public Image

Chapter Leadership Set terms for officers. Bring new members into leadership. Keep past leaders active with committee assignments and special projects. Don’t let one department or college provide all the leaders. Don’t let the leadership become known for a gray-hair or no-hair quality. Make an effort to recruit younger faculty into the leadership. Be careful not to expose non-tenured faculty to controversy or confrontation that might adversely affect their tenure and or promotion decisions. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Pass it Around

Chapter Meetings Schedule regular meetings 2 – 4 times per year. One meeting should be devoted to business and the election of officers Always have a program. Open meetings to non-members. Sponsor forums on topics of great concern to the faculty, such as academic freedom, governance, salary equity and funding in higher education. Academic Freedom Is Not Free An Active and Growing Chapter Meets Regularly

Establish Key Committees Executive Committee Committee A – Academic Freedom and Tenure Governance Committee Membership Others – Government Relations, Gender/Race Equity and Salary. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Some Suggestions for Committees

Executive Committee Membership should include chapter officers. Could also include past president and two or three members-at- large. Should meet regularly, probably monthly. Sets the agenda for the chapter. Meets with representatives of the administration to discuss current campus issues and concerns. Provide the President, Chief Academic Officer and others with copies of the Redbook. Participates in conference and national meetings. Participate in training sponsored by the conference and the Association Academic Freedom Is Not Free Sets the Agenda for the Chapter

Committee A Identify problems related to academic freedom and tenure on campus. Review existing handbook regulations governing academic freedom and tenure and work for needed changes. Compare faculty handbook to relevant Redbook documents. Assist faculty who have been dismissed, making certain that due process is afforded and rights are protected. Contact national office if necessary. Guide faculty through the tenure process. Assist faculty through the campus grievance process. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Academic Freedom and Tenure are the Pillars of the Profession

Governance Committee Review Faculty Handbook and work for needed changes. Compare provisions in Handbook to AAUP statements on governance and model handbooks. Work with the Faculty Senate and relevant committees to promote good campus governance. Encourage chapter members to run for leadership positions in the Faculty Senate and to serve on key senate committees. Encourage members to attend faculty meetings. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Good Campus Governance Is the Foundation for Academic Freedom

Membership Committee Develop a plan for recruiting new members in a systematic fashion, such as by department. Try to execute plan at least once a year. Arrange to have dues payments made in a routine fashion, such as payroll deduction or credit card debit. When you notice that a member’s dues is not current, contact him/her and encourage renewal of membership. If possible, participate in orientation for new faculty. Sponsor a reception for new faculty where they can meet with the current membership and learn about the Association. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Membership is the Key to a Strong and Effective Chapter

Chapter Communications Chapter newsletter. Chapter website. Chapter Listserv. Recognize good leadership with an annual award State conference and national resources. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Keep the Membership and Campus Informed

Chapter Newsletter Try to identify a highly qualified editor who will agree to take the position for a period of time, preferably for multiple years. Develop a professional and consistent format for the publication. Solicit well-written and professionally edited article. Publish the newsletter on schedule. For example, a Fall newsletter might be published in November and a Spring issue could be scheduled for April. Try to distribute publication to all faculty, academic administrators and trustees/regents. Always include a membership form. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Provides the Best Way to Keep the Campus Informed about AAUP

Example of Campus Newsletter Academic Freedom Is Not Free

Chapter Website Provide information about campus chapter – list of officers with contact information, schedule of meetings and forums, and other relevant information. Include brief descriptions about key tenets of the Association such as academic freedom, tenure, shared governance, equity issues, etc. Link to state conference and national websites. Keep the website up to date. Academic Freedom Is Not Free A chapter website is an important resource for the faculty. It should:

Example of Campus Website Appalachian State University: Academic Freedom Is Not Free

Guidelines for Chapter Websites Identify a web-savvy member to create and maintain the chapter website. Or hire someone. Appoint a Webmaster Update the website regularly Academic Freedom Is Not Free Important Steps

What to Include on the Website Information about how to join AAUP – Link to aaup.org/join Key information about AAUP and a link to the national and conference websites -- aaup.org. and nc-aaup.org. List of chapter officers with contact information. Chapter by-laws Minutes of past chapter and executive committee meetings. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Information to Include

What to Include on the Website Recent activities and accomplishments of chapter. Chapter newsletters. Contact information for faculty and academic freedom and tenure problems. Current legislative information. Webmaster contact information. Date of latest website update. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Information to Include -- continued

Promotion of the Chapter Website Request that the AAUP and state conference websites list and link to the chapter website. faculty on your campus and provide a link to the chapter website in the . Always include a link to the chapter website in internet communications and the web address (URL) in printed communications. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Steps

Chapter Listserv An listserv can serve as an easy way to get information to members. Provides a way for members to address issues. Need to set rules for use. A listserv moderator can determine if contributed s are appropriate. Know that there is nothing private about . If you want something to remain confidential or to reach only a targeted audience, don’t use . Need to make it easy for members to join and quit a listserv. Academic Freedom Is Not Free is the Commonly Used Form of Campus Communication

Annual Award Academic Freedom Award or Shared Governance Award. Try to present award at the annual meeting of the faculty. Consider faculty leaders, administrators, trustees/regents, alumni and others for the award. Send press releases about the award to campus, state and local press. Academic Freedom Is Not Free Honor Good Works and Gain Visibility

Example of Academic Freedom Award Academic Freedom Is Not Free

Use the Leadership of the Assembly State Conferences and the Association as Needed Assembly of State Conference Chair Flo Hatcher, AAUP President Cary Nelson, AAUP Associate Secretary Pat Shaw, Academic Freedom Is Not Free When Help Is Needed:

Thank You! Academic Freedom Is Not Free For Additional Assistance with Chapter Development Contact: Department of Organizing Services